Motorola: Icahn lacks commitment

Motorola Inc. said Carl Icahn lacked the commitment and seriousness needed to join its board, escalating a campaign against the billionaire investor’s bid to become a director.

Icahn views board membership as a “mere adjunct to his investing activity,” Schaumburg, Ill.-based Motorola said in a letter to investors. Shareholders will vote Monday on Icahn’s board nomination at their annual meeting.

Icahn, who controls 2.9% of the company’s stock, has said he would use the board seat to pressure Motorola executives to improve profit margins at the company’s mobile-phone business and to eventually return more cash to shareholders.